Akufo-Addo Challenges Mahama to Face Bawumia in Public Debate

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has issued a challenge to former President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to face Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in a public debate on national issues.

Speaking to a charged crowd of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters in Tamale on his campiagn tour of the region, Mr Akufo-Addo questioned Mahama’s reluctance to face Bawumia in a public debate on national issues..

“Why is Mahama running away from the debate? Bawumia says he is ready for the debate any day. So, why is Mahama running away?” he quizzed.

This recent challenge marks a significant twist, given Akufo-Addo’s own history of avoiding debates with Mahama during the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. At that time, Dr Bawumia also dismissed calls for a debate between the two presidential candidates.

“It will be interesting, but it’s not necessary at this point because the records on the ground are already doing the debate at the constituency, regional, and national levels,” the Veep declared.

However, the tone has changed as Akufo-Addo now champions a debate between his Vice President and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, suggesting that the people of Ghana deserve a head-to-head discussion of the issues.

“The people of Ghana deserve the debate so they can see ‘feelifeeli’ [clearly] who is doing what and saying what,” he continued.

Dr. Bawumia, known for his sharp criticism of the opposition, has consistently expressed his readiness to debate Mahama on key issues such as the economy, governance, and development. On multiple occasions, he has challenged the former president, stating, “I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on governance, on the country,” Dr. Bawumia has stated. “But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. I have never heard of an opposition leader who doesn’t want to debate. But he knows I will expose the emptiness of his policies.”

The NDC has repeatedly declined these debate challenges, with officials asserting that Mahama would not engage in a debate with Bawumia, who they argue is not at his level. Despite this, President Akufo-Addo has joined the chorus, reinforcing the call for Mahama to debate Bawumia on issues of national importance.

“We need someone who is reliable, whose words can be trusted, who is consistent and clear-minded,” Akufo-Addo said. “That is why some of us are saying, in fact, the majority of us are saying, we want Mahama and Bawumia to debate the issues in our country.”